1
Q
Name 2 of the most common cancers treated with superficial therapy.
A
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Cutaneous lymphoma (mycosis fungoides)
Melanomas (Lentigo Maligna)
2
Q
What are the advtanges of using radiotherapy to treat certain cancers with superficial therapy?
A
- Cosmetic results
- Short term side effects (clear up after treatment stops)
- skin redness
- blistering similar to mild sunburn
- Long-term side effects (no major)
- Skin lightening or darkening
- Telangiectasia (reddining of skin due to enlarged capillaries. Spider veins)
- Skin fibrosis
- Cost of treatment
3
Q
What does the physics support provide in superficial RT?
A
- Assist in choice of modality
- Advise on acceptable OAR doses
- Design treatment:
- Field size
- Shielding / collimation
- Bolus
- SSD
- Foils
- Set-up - gantry angle, collimator angle, …
4
Q
What questions should be asked at the MDT to provide physics support and advice for superficial therapy?
A
- What dose will be prescribed?
- What % will the treatment be prescribed?
- Is the marked disease field or disease?
- If disease - what margin around disease is required?
- If field – have they used a correct margin?
- What depth is dose required?
- What dose is required on the surface?
- Are there any critical structures in the vicinity?
- Has the patient had any previous radiotherapy?
- Does the patient have any co-morbidities that might impact on treatment modality / design?
